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Dodgers utilize depth: Chris Heisey up, Adam Liberatore down

Dodgers outfielder Chris Heisey fouls off a pitch during an exhibition game against the Cubs on March 11.
Dodgers outfielder Chris Heisey fouls off a pitch during an exhibition game against the Cubs on March 11.
(Chris Carlson / Associated Press)
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You put your right foot in, you take your right foot out …

The Dodgers are shaking their roster all about, for a day, anyway. On Thursday they’ll put in their left foot. After that, who knows? Say this for the Dodgers’ new management, they built what they considered 40-man roster depth and they’re not afraid to take full advantage of it.

Wednesday, as expected, they activated outfielder Chris Heisey from, and optioned left-hander Adam Liberatore back to, triple-A Oklahoma City. This could well prove a season-long shuffle.

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The Dodgers wanted the right-handed-hitting Hesiey up to start Wednesday against left-hander Madison Bumgarner, giving rookie left-handed-hitting outfielder Joc Pederson a day off.

Since Heisey was in the Dodgers’ clubhouse Tuesday, this came as a shock to absolutely no one. It would be a shock if he stays around for more than one day, however.

Thursday the Dodgers need to bring up a starting pitcher to face the Giants. Mike Bolsinger is expected to get the call, and given the way things unfolded Tuesday, don’t be surprised if he’s already in the clubhouse Wednesday.

Bolsinger would be taking the rotation turn vacated by Hyun-Jin Ryu, on the disabled list with a sore shoulder. Unless he blows up, Bolsinger will probably stick for a while. The next off-day is not until April 30 and the rotation’s spot would come up again next week at home again against the Giants.

Liberatore figures to be back, though. He did not allow a run in his three games and gave up only one hit with no walks and four strikeouts in his 4 1/3 innings. He temporarily gave the Dodgers an unusual three left-handers in the bullpen, but Manager Don Mattingly has continually said it doesn’t matter, left or right, he wants the best arms. Liberatore also did not allow a run in 11 spring games.

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